1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma

Description

Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1986 Suzuki RG500.

Derived straight from Suzuki’s half-liter RG Gamma XR45 factory Grand Prix racer, the RG500 was a road-legal replica racer produced between 1985 and 1987. From the mid-‘70s to the mid-‘80s, Suzuki was a dominant force in premier class competition. Barry Sheene achieved back-to-back 500cc championship titles in ’76 and ’77 before the Gallina Suzuki team repeated the feat half-a-decade-later with riders Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini in ’81 and ’82. Suzuki also won seven consecutive 500cc Class Constructors’ titles around this same time.

To capitalize on the brand’s reputation for building high-performance race bikes, Suzuki decided to develop a slightly-tamed production version of its competition square-four machine. 7,340 examples were produced in the first year of production (1985), with another 1,412 in 1986 and a final 532 specimens in 1987, making for a total of just 9,284. Due to emissions regulations (among other reasons), Suzuki never officially sold the RG500 Gamma in America, though it was offered in Canada so a few grey market examples have found their way across the border.

Classic Motorbikes described the Gamma’s place among its competitors by stating, “Place the RD500, NS400 and RG500 Gamma side-by-side and you would have three of the top manufacturers attempts at producing a replica of their respective GP racers, however, with all but one of those machines, all you purchased was a mere shadow of the original design. That is not to say the others were rubbish, far from it in fact, but the RG was definitely nearer the mark, and actually far closer to the race machine than you might ever imagine. The Suzuki is almost an exact replica of the race machine.”

Manufactured October 1986, this example is VIN: JS1HM31A3G2100666. The seller purchased the bike from a collector Summer 2022 and states, “Always wanted a big bore square four two-stroke and found this fully sorted example from a retired mechanic vintage moto collector who has since become a friend. I rode it more than any of my other bikes in 2022 and 2023 but it didn’t make it out of the garage last year so it’s time to move it on while it’s still a nice rider.”

During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 500 miles. The odometer shows 15,342 kilometers (9,533 miles).

Maintenance:
Per the seller, “Oil change and cleaned carbs, replaced battery. Tires lose pressure after sitting for extended periods.” The following service report has been provided:

Modifications:
“Aftermarket upper cowl and lower fairing, non-stock tire.”

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Avon Roadrider tires which have aged out.

The sale includes one key.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“A few small punctures in seat cover, small scratches in exhaust canister.”

Currently located in Bloomington, Indiana, this Suzuki is offered on a clean Illinois title. Have any RG500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!